Door structure



Mmm R95@ D. c. ROCKOLA DOOR STRUCTURE Filed Feb. 28, 1947 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 .m1/Ewan. David C ,Que/ola D ROC-KOLA Nov. 28, 1950 DOOR STRUCTURE 2 Sheets-.Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 28, 1947 INVENTOR David C. ociola fatentecl Nov. 2:8, 195() DOOR STRUCTURE David C. Rockola, Chicago, Ill., assigner, by'

mesne assignments, to Rock-Ola Manufacturing Corporation, Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Delaware Application February 28, 1947, Serial No. 731,492

Claims. (Cl. S12-189) 'This invention relates in general to cabinet construction, and more particularly to an improved door structure for the cabinet of an automatic phonograph.

' A principal object of the invention is the provision of a door for an automatic phonograph cabinet which comprises a frame structure made throughout of relatively thin metal parts, formed primarily as sheet metal stampings, and so designed as to facilitate assembly thereof into a light weight, rigid construction of the desired shape and contours to match those of the phonograph cabinet upon which it is to bemounted, and which is capable of supporting therein some of the operating mechanism of the phonograph. f'r'Another object of the invention is to provide such a sheet metal door frame, hinged at one side on a phonograph cabinet, with novel means for supporting the other side of the door, which is of 'particular importance in relieving the hinge means and frame of strain during movements of the door to and from open position and in guiding the door into proper engagement with the cabinet as it is swung into closed position. fA further object of the invention is the provision in such a door construction of a iioor member having ventilation providing means, and outlet apertures for any foreign material forced through a front grill on the door, these apertures having means associated therewith for insuring sliding or rolling out of the door of any such foreign material so deposited therein and also for preventing access through the apertures to any operating mechanism carried by the door or disposed interiorly of the cabinet on which it is mounted to eliminate unauthorized tampering with such mechanism from the underside of the door.

Another object of the invention is to provide a metal door frame which is so designed to receive inserts of translucent plastic material for the decorative elects obtainable therewith as to reduce the costs of such plastic inserts in comparison with those previously employed in wooden door constructions by simplifying their shapes and installation.

i, Numerous other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent as Vit is better understood from the following description, which, when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, discloses a preferred embodiment thereof.

' In the drawings:

' Fig. 1 is a front elevation of a door frame embodying the features of the instant invention;

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of the door structure of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a horizontal section taken substantially on the line 3 3 of Fig. l and showing part of the cabinet upon which the door is mounted in broken lines;

Figs. 4 and 5 are horizontal detail sections taken substantially, respectively, on the lines fl-Ji and 5--5 of Fig. 1;

Figs. 6, 7, `and 8 are detail vertical sections taken substantially on the lines G-6, 'I-l and 8-8, respectively, of Fig. 1; and

Fig. 9 is a detail, fragmentary front view of the lower end of the right-hand leg portion of the upper member of the inner frame. 4

Referring more particularly to the drawings, reference numeral il indicates in general a door frame structure embodying the features of this invention made up of a plurality of thin metal parts and including an outer frame portion comprising a substantially U-shaped frame member I2, curved side panels I3 and a center panel I4, an inner frame comprising an upper U--shaped frame I5, a central rail Iii and side frame members ii, curved side panels iB interconnecting the outer and inner frames, and a door member I9.

As best seen in Figs. 3 and 6, the U-shaped outer frame member I2 is in the form of a channel having the leg portions thereof extending downwardly. The front legs of this frame member are secured at suitable points along the bottom portions thereof, to laterally extending nanges 2I provided on the curved side panels I3 by means of screws or bolts 22, as shown in Figs. 1 and 8. The front, inner ends of these curved side panels I3 are provided with rearwardly extending iianges 23 similarly secured by suitable Screws or bolts 24 to a similar flange 25 on each end of the center panel I 4, as best seen in Figs. 5 and 8. The floor member I9 is secured by means of screws or bolts 26 (Fig. 8) to the several members I2, I3 and I4.

The curved side panels I8 are each provided with a flange 2l at the rear end, similar to the lianges 2|, which are secured by screws or bolts 28 to the front leg of the outer frame member I2, as shown in Figs. l, 3 and 8. These curved side panels I8 are also provided with rearwardly extending fianges 29 at their inner ends which are secured by screws or bolts 3| (Figs. 3, 4 :and 8) to associated, rearwardly extending flanges 32 at' The side frame' the ends of the central rail I6.

members I1, as seen in Figs. 4 and 5, comprise rails of substantially S-shape, the front legs of which abut against the lower edge cf the central rail I6 and the upper edge of the central panel I4 at their upper and lower ends, respectively. The other legs of these side frame members or rails I1 preferably extend downwardly for the full depthof` the center panel IIAy (as shown in Fig. 8) for the stiifening effect obtained thereby, and these members Il are welded, or other-- wise suitably secured, to the center panel I4 and the central rail I3.

As shown in Fig. 8, the central rail I6 is formed as a channel member having the leg portions thereof horizontally disposed and extending rearwardly for the purpose of receiving parts of the operating mechanism (not shown) of an automatic phonograph, upon the cabinet of which the instant door structure is mounted. Suchv op.-

erating mechanism comprises a selector control ueitsimleete that, disclosed irl my 1e-Pending' ebelieatien- Serieel NO.- 68114.59, led July 5,1946. Since such selector control mechanism includes manually operable members disposed forwardly ofthe innery U-shaped frame member I5, and a program holder mounted to the rear thereof so thata glass panel may be mounted in the frame I- to extend between such program holder and selector control members, the framel member I5 is sloped rearwardly at a slight angle to the vertical, as best seen in Figs. 2 and 8. The lower ends `of this` U-shaped frame I5VV are slightly recessed on their outer side surfaces to receive the end nanges 32 of the centralrail IB. The outer vertical surfaces of the frame I5 are thusvertically aligned with the outer surfaces of the inner frame members I'I. The lower ends of the U- shaped member I5 are welded or otherwise suitably securedto the central rail I6.

It will be understood that the several thin metal parts of this door frame structure II may all be welded together instead of being interconnected by vmeans of the screws illustrated, if desired. Also, the members I5 and I'l may be formed as aunitary part, like the member I2, and the same maybe done with the members IIS and I8, and for the members I3 and i4, although the arrangement herein illustrated is preferred.

With the above described arrangement, spaces are provided between the outer frame member I2; and the inner frame members I1; as best seen in Fig. 1', and between the curved panels I3' and-l I8; which are adapted to be filledby inserts comprising suitably curved panels of plastic material (not shown), the panels I3-and I8y having tabs 3G (Figs. 3 and 8)- formed thereon for-.engagement with suchv plastic inserts.- Likewise, the space between the U-shaped frame memberv I5- and the outer frame I2v is intended to be-filled` withsimilar plastic Apanel inserts. For this reason and'` to similarly receive the glass panelA abovev net andthe rear Wallyof the left-handleg portion', ofthe outer frame member I2. The door is thus,I

@ranged to be swung forwardly about the verleal..nvetprovidedai the left side. thereof by f structure.

l the hinge 34 and the door frame I I and for guiding the latter into proper cooperative relationshipwith the cabinet 33 when being swung into closed position. This means comprises a roller 33 (Fig. 3) mounted at the lower right-hand corner ofthe door: frame structure I I in any suitable mannersV which rests upon a track rail 31 provided on the upper surface of the right-hand leg 35; the legs 35 extending forwardly from the cabinet 33 under the door structure. These parts, of course, may be reversed, if desired, by mountingV the roller 35 0n the leg 35 and the traclg'l onthe bottom `of the door frame I,I.

The door member Is is provided withv acens trally disposed aperture 38 in its forwardpor-Y tiqndfor direct ventilation upwardly to, anddpwnwardclearancefor the motor of, a` color anfirna;v tion device like that disclosed in my co-p eng;i`i1ifg application Ser- N0- 729394, flled February 2.0;A 1947, adapted to, be mounted in tnedoor, tov di.- rectly illuminate a central translucent lens-l e viewing panel centrally disposed between the/1 ner frame members Il', with changing color de-v signs, and indirectly to similarly illuminatejthe. side panels extending vertically between. the, framemembers Il and I2.l Such decorativc.view-f,V ing panels are shown in my co-,pending design application Serialr No. D. 136,937, filed February, 1,5J 1947 and issuedMay 11, 1948 as Patent No. Des. 149,589. sloping tabs or baltes sa punched and bentdownwardly from thefioorr member I9;v (Figs, 3 and 8) on each side of the aperture; are spaced attheir rear edges downwardly from'v the floor member to provide outlet apertures communicating with the interior of the The tabs 39 thusvalso prevent access to any operating mechanism mountedinthecdpor. to eliminate unauthorized tampering with the, latter from the underside of the door. These. apertures at the rear of the downwardly and, rearwardly sloping flool` tabs 39` areprovided as outlets for any foreign material which mayshoved through grills 4I (Figi) that are mount:- ed betweenthe inner frame members:` I'I. and `the central viewing panel referred, toab0ve 'These grills 4I are backed by protective panels. (not shown) spaced rearwardly, therefrom to,V permite light from ythe centrallyv disposedcolor animation.` device above mentioned to reach the plastic side, panels mountedy between the inner and outer frame members Il, I2, sothatit is possibleforv unthinking or maliciousv persons to force foreign.

material, such as cigarettey butts, throughIV them. Any foreign material forced through the grills 4I can fall only ontothe sloping floor tabs. 3S.: and.v will slide or roll rearwardlyA downl the latter. and out of the door. The door member I9isalso. provided with a flanged aperture42for receiving a suitable grill (not` shown).

stamping thereof, and has, the additional.func;1

tion of a stiffening element for the floor member.`-

This aperture 42 and the grill, work therein mounted. provides.V ventilation eeJ the interior, of

The flange`y 43... around this aperture (Fig. 8) isformed fromthel main body portionv of the floor, member inthe.

the door structure and of the cabinet 33 upon which it is hinged.

It is thought that the invention and many of its attendant advantages will be understood from the foregoing description, and it will be apparent that various changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the parts without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention or sacrificing all of its material advantages, the form hereinbefore described being merely a preferred embodiment thereof.

I claim:

l. A door structure for the cabinet of an automatic phonograph having a transverse vertical section of generally inverted U-shape, comprising an outer metal frame shaped to conform to the shape of the top and sides of said cabinet in a Vertical plane, an inner metal frame spaced inwardly from and shaped similarly to said outer frame and disposed forwardly thereof to provide interior depth to the door structure to facilitate mounting of part of the mechanism of said phonograph therein, curved metal side panels interconnecting said inner and outer frames, and a metal door member interconnecting said inner i and outer frames.

2. A door structure for an automatic phonograph, comprising an outer frame of thin metal parts including a frame member of inverted U- shape having leg portions joined at one end by interconnecting panels, interconnecting thin metal panels disposed between said leg portions intermediate their ends, and an inner frame of thin metal parts including a frame member of inverted U-shape joined at its ends to said last recited interconnecting panels, and side frame members spaced respectively from said leg prtions and connected at their ends to said panels.

3. In a door for the cabinet of an automatic phonograph, a frame structure of thin metal parts, comprising an outer member of inverted U-shape having parallel leg portions extending at their lower ends to the bottom of said frame structure, interconnecting bottom panels joining and secured to the lower ends of said leg portions, a iioor member connected to said bottom panels and said leg portions, interconnecting intermediate panels joining and secured to said leg portions intermediate their ends, an inner member of inverted U-shape spaced from said outer member and connected at its ends to said intermediate panels, and side frame members spaced from said leg portions as vertical extensions of the ends of said inner member and connected at their ends to said panels.

4. In a door for the cabinet of an automatiiJ phonograph, a frame structure of thin metal parts, comprising an outer member of inverted U-shape having parallel leg portions extending at their lower ends to the bottom of said frame structure, interconnecting bottom panels joining and secured to the lower ends of said leg portions, a centrally disposed horizontal rail adapted to support control mechanism for said automatic phonograph, means connecting the ends of said rail to said leg portions, and an inner member of inverted U-shape spaced from said outer member and having leg portions connected to said rail.

5. In a door for the cabinet of an automatic phonograph having a transverse vertical section of generally inverted U-shape, a frame structure of thin metal parts, comprising a vertically disposed frame member shaped to conform to the shape of the sides and top of said cabinet in a vertical plane, a horizontal central panel disposed forwardly of said frame member, curved side panels interconnecting the ends of said central panel and said frame member, and an inner frame member shaped to conform to the shape of said iirst frame member and spaced inwardly therefrom, said inner frame member being connected to said central panel and sloping upwardly and rearwardly therefrom towards said first frame member.

6. In combination with an open front cabinet for an automatic phonograph mechanism having supporting legs extending forwardly thereof; a door structure, comprising an outer frame pvotally mounted at one side of the front 0f said cabinet, an inner frame spaced forwardly from said outer frame to provide interior depth to the door structure to facilitate mounting of' part of the mechanism of the phonograph therein, and side panels interconnecting said inner and outer frames; and cooperating track and roller means mounted on the forwardly extending portion of one of said legs and the bottom of said door structure on the side opposite that pivotally mounted on said cabinet for guiding closing `movement of said door relative to the cabinet.

7. In combination with an open front cabinet for an automatic/ phonograph mechanism, a door structure, comprising an outer metal frame shaped to conform to the open front of said cabinet, and pivotally mounted at one side thereon, an inner metal frame spaced forwardly from said outer frame to provide interior depthfto the door structure to facilitate mounting of part of the mechanism 0f said phonograph therein, and metal side panels interconnecting said inner and outer frames, and a roller mounted at the lower end of said door structure on the side opposite that pivotally connected to said cabinet for guiding movements of said door structure to closed position.

8. In combination with an open front cabinet for an automatic phonograph mechanism having supporting legs with portions thereof extending forwardly of the cabinet; a metal door structure, comprising an outer frame shaped to conform to the vertical sectional shape of the top and sides of said cabinet and pivotally mounted at one side on said cabinet, an inner frame spaced inwardly from and shaped similarly to said outer frame and adapted to support part of the mechanism of said phonographmeans interconnecting said inner and outer frames, and a floor member interconnecting at least some of said interconnecting means and said outer frame to complete the bottom of said door structure; a roller mounted at the bottom of said door structure on the side opposite that pivotally mounted on said cabinet, and track means mounted on the upper part of the forwardly extending portion of one of said legs cooperating with said roller to guide closing movements of said door structure relative to said cabinet.

9. In a door structure for an open front cabinet for automatic phonograph mechanism, an outer frame pivotally mounted on said cabinet, an inner frame spaced forwardly from and xedly secured to said outer frame to provide interior depth to said door structure, a floor member rigidly interconnecting said inner and outer frames to close the bottom of said door structure, and vent means provided in said floor member to permit the iiow of air therethrough to ventilate the interior of said door structure and the phonograph mechanism within said cabinet.

10. In a door structure, an outer frame, an

inner fram'ef for receiving a' grill in' the fro'ntportion.. thereof and connected. to said outer frame, ai. floor. member interconnecting said inner and outer.' frames to close the bottom of said.Y door structure, and artab struck downwardly from said 5 oor member and sloping downwardly and rear- Waldly toV provide an aperture at the rear end thereof asz an outlet from the interior of safid door structure for any foreign material which may be inserted through said grill.

DAVID C. ROCKOLA.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of re'cord in the file of'thi'sV patent? UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date` Darty- Aug. 18, 11936 Numb e111 

